Alongside current zoning measure already in force, the Ministry is prohibiting the establishment of day-old poultry in all species until 7 January. The government said the measures could be extended if the situation evolves. An economic support system for the breeders concerned will be put in place by the state.

The aim, said the government press release, is to limit the risk of contamination in a region that is at high risk. The southwest region of France is densely populated with poultry producers and sits under a migratory flight route.

The measures were taken on the recommendation of authorities and in accordance with the principles of risk management defined in the roadmap developed in July to avoid the emergence of new crises in the poultry sector.

Movements in the new restricted area will respect a health protocol to ensure the absence of spread of the disease, established by operators and validated by decentralized services.

Since 16 December when the first outbreak of type H5N1 was confirmed in the southwest in a farm of ready-to-breed ducks in the municipality of Manciet, in the Gers, 22 new outbreaks have been identified in the Atlantic Pyrenees, Gers and Landes.

The affected farms were each time depopulated and then disinfected. A protection zone (3 km) and a surveillance zone (10 km) were established around each outbreak.